‘Cancer – 50 Essential Things to Do’ is a book by Greg Anderson which I used as a guide to journal what I needed to work through in the immediate aftermath of being diagnosed with Stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
Quotes from the book will be in italics.
Stop Awfulizing (1):
Be calm! Try not to panic. Panic will only inhibit rational and positive action.
Clear decision making will be most important.
Panic acts only to your detriment. Panic is the mind projecting its fears about the unknown future. Panic is caused by an assumption. It is not based on material fact.
*We are not made up of just our fears.
Instead of being in the role of victim who is hopelessly caught up in a web of panic and despair, become the observer. Do not engage the mind in battle; simply watch the emotions and let them go, by doing this your panic will subside.
Imagine yourself as an effective problem solver. In reality I am an effective problem solver. I am a competent and confident person who will need to make some very important decisions.
Clear decision making is mine.
Cancer does not mean death.
*I am not uncontrolled panic even though I may occasionally experience panic.
Take Charge (2):
I am the most important person on my cancer recovery team. I am the one who is ill; and I am the one who must work to get well.
*Do not be intimidated by medical personnel or the process. You are the one in charge.
My cancer recovery team:
Me
Family
Extended Family
Oncologist – Dr. Grenier
Hematologist – Dr. Shojania
Nurses
Laboratory Technologists – blood tests
Pharmacists – drugs to lessen side effects.
Psychosocial Oncology Counselor – Irene Shapira
Clinical Dietician – what foods to avoid/eat – Robin
Breast Surgeon – Dr. Gillespie
Mould Room Technicians – radiation mould
Radiation Therapist
Meditation/Yoga stretches/exercise
Radiation Oncologist – Dr. Akra
How wonderful to have such a team.
Flo says I will meet many angels along the way.
Nadalene says because of my dynamic personality (hee hee) I will be an angel to many people along the way.
*artwork by my dear Flossy-P
43 comments:
Nadalene is right....you are certainly one of mine....I didn't manage to cry, it just wont happen....but I am laughing again now :)
xx
You are definitely an angel to so many people. We are all blessed to be able to read your blog.
I hope everything went well yesterday and I hope you have a great day today.
Hugs,
Meg xoxo
How wise your wonderful Nadalene is! She is so right.
I hope you have a wonderful day.
Love,
xoxoxox
Angela
Yes, you are indeed an angel! I love when you listed yourself first on your cancer recovery team. Twice in the past week I have sat in groups where I have told another patient to place themselves on their team - these patients were caught up in a lot of sorrow and fear. I advised them of the power that is attained through playing an active role on the team.
Love to you!
audrey
xoxoox
Nadalene is spot on - you are a wonderful angel. Your wings are immense and you spread them over all of us, every time you write.
Sending you a hug - Pam
(my word to type in is 'rewingl'!!!)
Renee...
That is a wonderful team..and Flo and Nadalene are right. You will meet angels, and will be one for others....What smart ppl you know...Those are great steps..everyone should follow this step. Kisses and hugs xoxoxo
Smiles,
Sonia ;)
Impressive if you can manage it.
I love what Nadalene said about you. What Flo says is also true, one meets angels in the most unexpected of places during difficult times.
And you have a team, a wonderful team - you have a family. Not everyone does.
You are an angel to us all. You are the voice of calm and I suspect this calm is not always easy to attain.
Love you Renee!
Lizzy
I love these posts Renee - so many of theses things ring true for all of us everyday!! You are so brave!
Yes am a brat and I have done nothing but cry for the last 24 hours! I am so excited to get your Renee award - then..... this morning to find the message from darling Ces that she has awarded me a Mental Ninja - OMG GIRL I'm crying again!! WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!
I'm over the moon and more!
I'm so very glad you like the duck to swan - funny I have been thinking about it since you said it - and it wasn't until I recieved the award from Ces that the picture clarified itself. It means alot that you loved it too!!
Making it an award....hmmmmmmm...
K- now I have to go post my award and try to see through the tears. And Renee - I do feel the love & I always do from you thank you so very much for being there hon! You mean the world to me you really do.
Love you, Sarah
What a wonderful post Renee! I believe you are an angel too, Nadalene is very smart.
"Awfulizing" that is a great word.
You are so very lucky to have such an awesome team.
Can I be a cheerleader?
And we are lucky to have you.
Have a great day, Angel on earth!
Again, very beautiful insights. I am thankful that you mentioned this book; I have recommended it to others, and put it on my request list at the library.
Thank you so much for the package you sent. I love it! I will send a proper thank you note soon, but wanted you to know that I received it, and it's sitting on the table next to the couch for all to see.
Ah, yes...a Dynamic Angel is the best kind to meet. Thank you for your prayer for PFC Ryan. It was beautiful and gave me so much comfort, for you are so close to God. I did see the dove after you pointed it out. Thank you for that also. Sending you all my love on the wings of the Dove of Peace. Deborah
Great stuff ... you've been an angel to me ...
Renee, you are an angel. You brighten so many peoples lives. I feel it a privlige to have gotten to know you through your blog. I believe the book is right about panic, it can completely block mental flow, I get that way sometimes. I will have to try the technique of observation. :D
True! You are and you have a great team.xxx
Renee, you really are such a special person. It's wonderful all the love and wisdom that you share...just incredible! You are a true blessing to so many!
Have a Wonderful Day!
xox
Kelly
yes. you are the angel. nadalene is exactly right!
♥
I'm so lucky to have found you, Renee. My angel, my muse.
I'm going to buy the book because it dispenses such wisdom and help to us all, whatever the health issue.
I hope you have a grrrreat week!
PS: There's a little thought for you over at my place, come by and pick it up, OK?
Ciao
Nadalene is a prophet ;)
You are an angel to millions.
I had forgotten the Winnipeg/sister comment on the envelope! I laughed while writing it.
xoxoxo
Hi Sweetest Renee!!!
you most definitely are an angel to everyone you meet!!! bless your heart!!!
Hugs
Diana
You most definitely are an angel!
Hello angel! I am sure you are an angel to lots of people. I can name a few.It is a blessing to know you and blog.How open you are to share your journal with us.
Blessings, Barb
Since I've had the honor of meeting you here in this virtual reality. I've learned so much from your posts about myself. I find so much wisdom.
I'm pleased to know more about you and your team (yea you!!!) determination, confidence. Your fears and concerns. Your children and your life. As I've said I certainly hope I can meet you in person.
You are an angel on earth... and you will meet many more. Some people have that quality that they pass on to others and bless their lives... Thank you for being an angel for me.
Love~Pattee
"I will be an angel to many people along the way."
....you have been in my life! Thank you angel.
Love, Noreen
Priceless, yes, like you!
I am going to have to make an award out of her so I can give her to myself and leave it on the front page all of the time.
Nadalene could not have realized how very true that statement would be ... I can only imagine the number of people you have touched and helped along your way…I think your compassionate nature helped your dynamic personality accomplish this – and don’t doubt, I am sure you have only just begun…xoxo
I would add to your support team your wide network of friends, both in-person and through the blog world. I know you have healing wishes flying at you from every direction, including my own every day.
Your child knows. Your blog friends know. You know too. Angels are what angels do.
I think those angel wings of yours beat a steady breeze at all who time the time to feel it.
This is an excellent post Renee!! Thank you for sharing it here. It can help many people. I've never heard of Greg Anderson, but what he says is very true. Is he a survivor? I have watched my mother do all these things instinctively without a book. It's her nature!
It amazes me as I am the opposite!
Any way, the thing you ended your post with, is right! YOU will bless the people you come in contact with because
YOU are a light of the World.
Love,
Constance
ps
Pink boxes in the mail!
You are definitely an angel Renee! I loved this post!!
I walked into Renee's Blog Room
And suddenly my heart goes BOOM!
There must be an angel
Playing with my heart.
(Adapted from Eurthymic's angel song)
The more I see quotes from this book, I am positive that everyone should read it. Much of it could be applied to everyone, dealing with a serious illness or not. Thank you Renee for posting more quotes from the book. I'm going to send the panic ones to my eldest daughter, who deals with a chronic illness and I think would benefit greatly from them.
I also have to agree with the others - Your Nadalene is right. You are an angel to so many.
Hugs,
Renee,
Thank you for visiting our Blog! I really appreciate the comment you left! It is so nice to make contact with you! Sarah has told me so many wonderful things about you! Your blog helps me deal with being a caregiver! Your attitude is just wonderful!
Namaste!
Sherry
Byrum Art
all i can say is i love who you are. the best part is you may be giving back even more than you get.
that indeed makes nadalene a phrophet.
love you moon sister. miracles abound.
renee.. i found ur blog tday thru my friends blog and i am glad that i found it. u r the most couragious person i have ever seen and i loved ur blog. you r an angel truely...
have a gr8 gr8 time... i will follow ur blog.
lots of love and best wishes
sayli.
you are a blessing to me renee and have been since day one, thank you xx
You are one pillar of strength, a river of hope.. you are absolutely amazing!
I think you're being an angel along the way! Love the list, some of it would fit the Caregivers. Wish I had seen this 16 months ago.
xoxo
Sherry
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Pudding
"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death." Thomas Paine
Nadia
Nadalene that quote is beautiful and thank you for thinking of me when you read it.
Love Mom xoxoxo
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